HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/1991, 3 - STATE BICYCLE LANE ACCOUNT GRANT PROJECTS MEEnN TE
1u11%1I p 111 City o f Sari LUIS OBISpo - -
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT IMI NUMe6i:
FROM: Arnold Jonas, Community Development Director('
PREPARED BY: Craig Anderson, Bicycle Coordinator C
Terry Sanville, Principal Planner tf)
SUBJECT: State Bicycle Lane Account Grant Projects
CAO RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) Adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of grant
applications with Caltrans for:
A design study for constructing a bike path along
the railroad right-of-way between Orcutt Road
and Cal Poly Campus, and
A Class II bike lane along Santa Rosa Street
between Murray and Walnut Streets.
(2) Adopt a resolution adopting the Bicycle Element
of the 1990 San Luis Obispo Regional
Transportation Plan.
A. BACKGROUND
The Bike Lane Account grant program is administered by Caltrans and is an annually-
recurring program funded through gas taxes.
Funding Available: A total of $360,000 is available state-wide to support this program.
Local agencies are eligible for up to $90,000. A minimum ten percent local match is
required. The City may use TDA bicycle and pedestrian funds or its own bikeways
capital project fund to cover the local match requirement.
Deadlines: Project proposals are required to be submitted to the Caltrans district office
by December 1, 1991.
Prerequisites for tiling. Local agencies must have a State-approved General Bikeway
Plan. The City's adopted Bicycle Facilities Plan (1985) has not been approved by the
State. However, the City can be eligible for BLA funds by adopting the Bikeways
Element of the San Luis Obispo Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) (attached).
The staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the Bicycle Element with the
understanding that the Bicycle Committee will be updating the City's own bike plan and
seeldng State certification within a year.
Limits on eligible projects: In order to be eligible for funding, projects must be
identified in the Bicycle Element of the 1990 Regional Transportation Plan. Under this
requirement, the following streets would be eligible for improvements:
Higuera, Marsh, Foothill, California, Madonna, Santa Rosa, Broad and Johnson. ]
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Em COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
A Southern Pacific right-of-way bike path and enclosed lockers at business centers and
intermodal stations are also eligible projects. According to Caltrans officials, the BLA
program will cover both "design studies" and construction-projects.
Timing of grant awards: Caltrans will review all grant applications to determine their
compliance with State criteria and priorities. Funds are to be allocated to successful
jurisdictions by February 1, 1992.
B. EVALUATION
1. Candidate Project Identification
I
Staff identified two projects for the BLA program. These are:
i
A design study for constructing a bike path along the Southern Pacific right-of way
between Orcutt Road and Cal Poly campus; and i
Establishing Class II bike lanes along Santa Rosa Street (Highway 1) between I
Murray and Walnut Streets.
I
Two projects were selected to increase the chances of having one awarded by the grant.
These projects were selected for the following reasons:
The City has identified the railroad bike path as a priority project for bikeway
improvements (reference Page D-85, 1991-1993 Financial Plan); j
By using BLA funds for the design study, the City's bikeways capital improvement
fund would remain available for other, short-term construction projects;
Santa Rosa Street (Highway 1) is a major bike route (State-designated Pacific 1
Coast Route) that connects north City areas with the downtown.
I
Bike lanes along Santa Rosa Street south of Murray Street are not continuous.
The segments that lack bike lanes have the highest traffic volumes.
Caltrans has not identified improvements along this segment of Santa Rosa Street
as part of the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) and so would be
unable to use normal funding for this project Staff feels that Caltrans may
support funding through the BLA program given their responsibility for this section
of Santa Rosa Street.
2. Bicycle Committee Endorsement
The Bicycle Committee discussed the proposed BLA projects at their regular meeting of
October 21. Concern was expressed by some committee members and members of the
public over funding the railroad bike path design study with BLA funds. One member
felt that this project was unrealistic and that funds were better spent on projects that are
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
more quickly and easily accomplished. Other members felt that the BLA funds offered
an excellent opportunity to pursue a high-priority project. The BLA funds would
therefore extend funding of bicycle projects throughout the community. The Santa Rosa
Street improvements were well received by committee members and the public. The
committee supported the railroad bike path design study with a vote of.7 to 2 and for
the Santa Rosa Street project by a unanimous vote.
I
3. Project Description and City Fiscal Impacts
Railroad Bicycle Path Design Study
Staff and consultant services would be used to prepare a schematic design for the project.
This analysis would consider the location and type of bicycle path, the design standards
for all improvements, and alternative strategies for altering bridges and constructing the
path along areas where surplus right-of way is limited. The design study will consider
land on both sides of the railroad from Orcutt Road to the Cal Poly Campus with a
focus on land along the eastern edge of the railroad.
City administration, planning, parks and engineering staff are working together to identify
priority areas for acquisition/lease that are needed to accomplish a continuous bike path.
In the near future, Administration and legal staff will approach.Southern Pacific officials
to begin discussion of land acquisition or long-term lease arrangements. The purpose of
these initial discussions will be to better understand SP`s expectations concerning land
costs and lease potentials. (Note: a separate report on the status of this project will be
forwarded to the City Council.) i
Further work requiring consultant services may involve refined land appraisals, legal
4 services, financial planning (eg. developing a funding strategy with the likelihood of a
revenue bond approach), and the assessment of potential environmental hazards in the
area.
Rough Costs for Consultant Services Include:
I
Project Management: $10,000
Preliminary Engineering Design: $50,000
Environmental'Assessment: $20,000
Fiscal Planning/Assessments: $309000
Legal Services: $159000
Total Cost: $1259000
If awarded, the BLA grant would provide $90,000 with City funds (TDA bicycle and
pedestrian funds or the bikeways capital improvement fund) covering the remaining
$35,000 of the project cost or any additional costs.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Santa Rosa Street Bike Lanes
Santa Rosa Street (Highway 1) is a heavily-travelled road (40,000+ vehicles per day) and-
serves as a major route to the downtown area for both cars and bicycles. Santa Rosa
currently has marked bike lanes from Foothill to Murray and from Walnut to Higuera.
The stretch between Murray and Walnut therefore breaks up an important bike route
that would otherwise have continuous bike lanes from Foothill, to Higuera.
Existing roadway conditions on Santa Rosa with breaks in the bike lane are a deterrent
to bicyclists. With no separation between the outside travel lane and the curb, a cyclist
of average ability feels unsafe and will avoid the street. Many single occupant vehicle
trips, particularly from student housing complexes such as Stenner Glen, Mustang Village
and Murray Street Station, could be replaced by bicycle trips with the addition of
continuous bike lanes. By providing continuous bike lanes along Santa Rosa, an increase
of bicycle ridership, with the subsequent relief of traffic congestion, could result.
Caltrans has a minimum lane width standard of twelve feet. However lane widths have,
on occasion, been reduced to eleven feet such as on the Madonna Road overpass. In
order to accommodate bike lanes along Santa Rosa from Murray to Walnut, lane widths
would need to be reduced to eleven feet in some places (the same width as on Santa
Rosa past Walnut). With eleven foot travel lanes along with a twelve foot center turn
lane, bike lanes could be installed by sandblasting or repaving.over the existing striping
and restriping. Certain portions of the roadway may also require gutter replacement in
order to allow for an adequate bike lane. Staff is in the process of determining the
exact improvements necessary to install continuous bike lanes on Santa Rosa Street. j
Initial comments from local Caltrans officials regarding the proposed improvements have
been mixed. Although Caltrans is supportive of bike lanes in general, narrowing lane
widths from thirteen to eleven feet may face some resistance. In 1988, the Public Works j
II Department asked Caltrans to look into the feasibility of installing bike lanes along Santa
Rosa Street. At that time, Caltrans was not receptive to installing bike lanes. It will
require persistent advocacy on the City's part to gain Caltrans support.
Conservative preliminary cost estimates for installing bike lanes on Santa Rosa Street
from Murray to Walnut Streets (1,800 feet of roadway) are as follows:
Repaving. $ 609000
Restriping: $ 40,000
Gutter replacement: $ 30,000
Total Cost 1309000
If awarded, the BLA grant would provide $90,000 with City funds (TDA bicycle and
pedestrian funds or the Bikeways Improvement Fund) covering the remaining $40,000 of
the project cost. If the BLA grant is not awarded, the Bicycle Committee may decide
to recommend that this project be funded entirely through City funds.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
4. Adoption of the Bicycle Element of the 1990 Regional Transportation Plan
As a prerequisite for applying for BLA grants, local agencies must have a State-approved
General Bikeway Plan. The City's current Bicycle Facilities Plan (1985) has not been
approved. However, the City can be eligible for BLA funds by adopting the Bikeways
Element of the San Luis Obispo Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTP's
Bikeways Element would act as the existing City Bikeways Plan until the City's Bike
Facilities Plan is updated and approved by the State. Updating the plan is part of the
Bicycle Committee's work program and should be completed by September of 1992.
City adoption of the Bicycle Element of the 1990 RTP will not require any extraordinary
performance on the City's part. It's adoption is designed to facilitate grant eligibility.
The standards included within the element are generally consistent with the City's
adopted 1985 Bicycle Facility Plan. In some cases, the RTP may allow the construction
of narrower bicycle lanes along streets. This will not preclude the City from exceeding
these minimum standards based on the needs along specific street segments.
Finally, when the City adopts a new Bicycle Facilities Plan (targeted for September, 1992)
and receives state certification, it can repeal its adoption of the RTP Bicycle Element.
C. ACTION ALTERNATIVES
(1) Do not file any grant applications and wait until next year's grant cycle when the
City has established a list of candidate projects.
(2) Decide to file only one grant application for either the railroad bike path or the
Santa Rosa Street project.
(3) Identify another appropriate project and direct staff to prepare a grant application.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution authorizing the submittal of BLA grant applications to CalTrans and
draft grant application materials
Resolution adopting the Bikeways Element of the 1990 San Luis Obispo Regional
Transportation Plan. (Excerpt of 1990 Regional Transportation Plan available in
City Council office for review.)
RESOLUTION NO. (1991 SERIES)
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF BICYCLE LANE ACCOUNT
GRANT APPLICATIONS TO CALTRANS
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo ("City") has identified projects eligible for
funding through the State's Bike Lane Account administered by Caltrans; and
. WHEREAS, the City has adopted the State-approved Bikeways Element of the San
Luis Obispo County 1990 Regional Transportation Plan in order to be eligible for funds
administered by Caltrans;
NOW, THEREFORE,be it resolved that the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
hereby authorizes the submittal of Bike Lane Account grant applications to Caltrans for the
following projects:
1) A design study for constructing a bike path along the railroad right-of-way
between Orcutt Road and Cal Poly Campus with a projected cost of$125,000
and;
2) Establishing Class 11 bike lanes along Santa Rosa Street (State Highway 1)
between Murray and Walnut Streets with projected cost of $130,000.
On motion of seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this day of . 1991.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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Page 2: Resolution (1991 Series)
APPROVED:
AtyAdAinistrativ Officer
tto ey -
Finance Director
Community De meat Director
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RESOLUTION NO. (1991 SERIES)
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
ADOPT 1NG THE BIIMWAYS ELEMENT OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
1990 REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo ("City") has identified projects eligible for
funding through the State's Bike Lane Account administered by CalTrans; and
WHEREAS, CalTrans requires that local jurisdictions have regional and state
approval of their local bikeways plan in order to be eligible for these and other funds; and
WHEREAS, the City's existing bikeways plan does not have regional or state
approval and the bikeways element of the Regional Transportation Plan does have state
approval; and
WHEREAS, by adopting the Regional Transportation Plan's bikeways element the
City would be eligible foi funds administered by CalTrans;
NOW, THEREFORE,be it resolved that the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
does hereby adopt the bikeways element of the San Luis Obispo County 1990 Regional
Transportation Plan attached and herein incorporated as Exhibit "A".
On motion of seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this day of . 1991.
ATTEST. Mayor
City Clerk
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Page 2: Resolution (1991,Series)
APPROVED:
ity A trative Wcer
At o
Y
/o/Q
Finance Director
Community Dev o ent Director
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